STO-CSCO International Fellowship Program

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and Society for Translational Oncology (STO) collectively value the importance of innovative and professional career development for young Chinese oncologists. Through strategic relationships with world-class institutions, sharing clinical programs, and collaborative research projects, the International Fellowship Program (IFP) is designed to address China’s pressing need for more oncologists with advanced clinical skills.

The IFP targets China’s rising stars as they prepare for careers as the next generation of independent clinical investigators and scientific experts in academia, the pharmaceutical industry or government. During this era of rapid development of precision medicine/personalized cancer therapies, immunotherapy, and novel drug development, this program concentrates on building professional skills in clinical trials, precision medicine, and immuno-oncology. Applicants were nominated by the CSCO leadership and then selected by the IFP Joint Fellowship Committee following a series of interviews.

During the three-month program, fellows worked closely with faculties from Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, STO Chabner Colloquium, STO Fellows’ Forum, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand their knowledge and enhance their professional skills in clinical trials, precision medicine, and immuno-oncology.

IFP Fellows Making Their Marks

In the years following the launch of IFP, the inaugural fellows offered an early demonstration of the program’s vision and impact. Jia Wei, MD, PhD, of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, and Sheng Yang, MD, PhD, of the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, emerged as promising leaders in oncology and credited their fellowship

The fellowship was designed not only to strengthen advanced clinical training, but also to cultivate leadership among oncology professionals prepared to drive innovation in research and care delivery. Program leaders emphasized the importance of lasting professional relationships and global exchange extending beyond the three-month experience.

Today, the achievements of the inaugural fellows continue to reflect the enduring value of international collaboration, multidisciplinary learning, and sustained investment in the oncology workforce to advance the shared mission of improving cancer care through education, partnership, and scientific progress.